Dome mounting for butane tanks



R. EWING DOME MOUNTING FOR BUTANE TANKS Filed April 22, 1944 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 1, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT orncE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to underground storage Underground gas storage tanks, especially of the type containing butane gas are conventionally equipped with domes which are readily removable to facilitate servicing of the dispensing,

equipment and no provision is made for sealing these domes against ingress of water, mud and sand which eventually fouls the valves and regulators to the extent that a hazard may exist, likely to result in damage to life and property. The present invention is designed to retain all features of demountability of the dome and dispensing elements but its peculiar characteristic lies in the fact that the lower part of the dome is sealed against infiltration of moisture and consequently prolongs the period of useful operation of the fixtures by keeping them free of silt, mud and sand.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has further reference to certain features of accomplishment which will become apparent as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a butane storage tank with the dome in vertical section and showing the mounting of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the tank and dome showing the mounting of the latter.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View of the dome and tank in vertical section, rotated 90 from the showing in Figure 2 and likewise showing the invention.

Figure 4 is a detail view in vertical section showing the manner in which the service line inlet to the dome is packed against infiltration of moisture.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, refe nce is primarily made to Figure 1 wherein numeral i=3 denotes a conventional tank adapted for underground service.

Usually, the dome of this tank is open at the bottom and is secured to the tank by brackets welded to the walls of the tank and to whichthe dome is secured by bolts. In being thus mounted, no provision is made to maintain rigidity of the dome when surrounded by earth and it often is thrust out of alignment possibly to the extent of impairing operation of the dispensing equipment and frequently to the extent that it makes servicing of this equipment difficult.

What is more important however is the fact that water may freely rise in the dome and sometimes submerges the regulator l l and even the head unit it containing the shut-off valve l3. When the vent outlet i4 becomes clogged, abnormal conditions arise which may either present a hazard or render the system inoperative, requiring the services of skilled persons to correct.

The present invention consists of a flat mounting plate or platform l5 whose peripheral shape conforms preferably to the shape of the dome or protective casing l6, and which plate is secured to the tank by spot welding at a and by brackets H which are also welded to the tank wall and to which the plate is secured by welding, as shown.

The standpipe 58 which rises in the dome extends through the plate 15 into the tank but a suitable collar l9 surrounds the base of this pipe to prevent any leakage at this point.

Mounted on the plate 5 5 is a gasket 2i! of moisture resisting material and which, in the present case is circular to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the mounting plate anddome. The dome 55 has a right angle annular flange 2| about its lower edge and which is preferably of the same external diameter as the mounting plate 55. Both, the mounting plate and dome flange are provided with relatively aligned apertures 22 to receive bolts 23 to secure the dome to the tank and for holding the dome positively against displacement in submerging the tank, yet making it readily demountable should the occasion arise. It is preferred that the bolts be made of brass or other metal immune to rust.

As a precaution against entrance of water into the chamber defined b the dome and platform, the service line 2 t, constructed of malleable and rust resisting material, is disposed to enter through an aperture in the platform I5 and is embraced by a packing element consisting of a threaded tube 25 whose lower end is obliquely cut and is welded to the platform l5, as shown particularly in Figure l. The tube is thus disposed at an angle best suited to receive the service line 3 24 without requiring that the latter be bent too sharply. Threaded upon the tube 25 is a sleeve 26 which latter receives a fitting 21, provided with a threaded nipple 28. On this nipple is mounted a nut 29 whose purpose is to compress the packing element 30 against the walls of the service line 24 extending through the assembly. Obviously, when the nut 29 is screwed down tightly, water rising exteriorly of the dome is positively prevented from seeping into the closed chamber and this feature, combined with the gasket 20 insureswater tight condition of the chamber at all times.

All of the parts of the packing assembly just described and shown in Figure 4 are made of non-corrosive, rust-proof material, hence there is little likelihood that they will be impaired by the moist condition of the surrounding earth and therefore. labor in servicing is reduced to the very minimum.

From the foregoing it is apparent that with but little extra cost and material, a dome mounting is provided which will not admit moisture rising exteriorly of the dome and thus. a material saving is eventually effected in maintenance and replacements as well as affording a safeguard against eventualities which might otherwise result from the fouling of equipment by the presence of foreign substances borne into the is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A dome and mounting for underground gas storage tanks including in combination with the service line thereof, a mounting plate secured to said tank and a flange turned on the lower edge of said dome, diametrically opposed supporting means for said plate, a gasket between said flange and plate, bolts for detachably securing said dome flange and plate together, an inclined tube affixed to and extending upwardly from said plate, through which said service line extends and means closing the upper end of said tube for packing said service line to resist ingress of moisture into said dome.

ROBERT EWING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTSv Number Name Date 2,217,580 White Oct. 8,1940 1,827,574 Frazier Oct. 13, 1931 852,359 Walcott et al Apr. 30, 1907 2,042,439 White May 26, 1936 2,155,179 Buttner et a1 Apr. 18, 1939 2,204,329 Tennant June 11, 1940 

